Cr Johnston seems weirdly obsessed with the fact that the papers for the appointment of Claire Jenkinson as the new Councillor for Paddington Ward were signed by James Mackay, possibly in his Walter-Taylor Ward office.

Cr Cassidy gives a very moving farewell speech to Cr McLachlan, to which he mocks blushing.

Cr Johnston is much less friendly, and accuses him of unilaterally removing an improvement to pedestrian safety on Ipswich road.

Cr Johnston is scathing about the designated powers. Describes them as a “coup”, giving more and more power to the unelected CEO, or to the E&C Committee, which is made up entirely of LNP Councillors. The decisions are not made by the elected representatives of Council, or able to be scrutinised by members of the public, because the decisions are made behind closed doors and merely rubber-stamped by Council. She says

It’s like a Stalinist, a fascist dictatorship. This is how it happens.

To which the Lord Mayor invokes Godwins Law, and rather appropriately, the meeting is basically then closed.

Cr Toomey to be appointed the new Chair of Council, and Cr Landers as Deputy Chair.